coersion

This article presents a spectrum of sexual coersion. By looking at the social meaning of the different acts of coercion along the spectrum, the author suggests that most acts of sexual coercion can be classified as either rape (a sexual act with intent to do harm to the victim) or sex (a sexual act engaged in without any intent to harm the victim). Ironically, though, the author suggests that the most and least egregious acts of sexual aggression, that is, the acts we most readily identify as rape and the acts we are most reluctant to label rape are the ones that most easily evade explanation as either rape or sex...

In a retrospective investigation, we attempted to estimate the effect of introduction of a new law about coercive measures and loss of liberty in psychiatric wards during the first three months after enforcement of the law. By examination of case reports we found that 69 patients, i.e. 14%, were exposed to one or several types of coercive measures. Restraint was the most frequent form of coercive measures. Eight patients lodged complaints about the coercive measures. The decisions of the psychiatrists were all sanctioned...